A pro-Europe Conservative MP defected to Labour, delivering a resignation letter that contained stinging criticism of the Conservative Party leader. But you already know that: It happened two-and-a-half years ago.

But early this morning, it happened again, with Quentin Davies, a rather less impressive Parliamentarian, playing the role of Robert Jackson.

And guess what? I think the same now as I did back then:

I do think that it’s rather unfortunate that MPs are allowed to do this. They get elected with the backing of one party, using their policies to convince the electorate to vote for them, and once they’ve got their seat they defect to another party with (theoretically) opposing views. It really isn’t on.

I feel that the most honest thing for Mr Jackson Davies to do in these circumstances would be to resign as a Conservative MP, triggering a by-election in which he should restand as a Labour MP, giving the electorate a representative with whose party line they agree. But he wouldn’t want to do that, because he might be defeated.

You’ll note that Mr Blair, back in 2005, was ‘delighted’ at Mr Jackson’s defection. And now, Mr Brown is, erm, ‘delighted’ by Mr Davies’ defection.

Who says there are no new ideas in politics?

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